The Christmas Cottage(14)
“Glad you felt you could talk to me.” His morning voice was deeper than his day voice. Richer. Warmer.
She got up then, reluctant for the night to end. Louie got up from his place in front of the fire and barked.
“He needs to go out.” Steve pushed off the couch. “Come on, Louie. Let’s head home.”
She walked him to the door and he stopped for a moment as he was leaving. “I had a good time yesterday.”
“I did, too.”
“Do you want to come over for dinner after work? Josh is cooking. I let him cook every once in a while. He’s making grilled cheese and mac and cheese. His choice. I’m sure he’d love to show off for you. Want to come over?”
“That sounds like fun. Can I bring anything?”
“Nope, it’s all up to Josh. Well, with a bit of help. See you about six?”
“See you then.”
She watched the man and the dog head back over to his house in the early morning light. The sky was a rosy pink color in the clouds to the east. A new day, and for once, in a very long time, she felt like she was ready to face it head on.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Josh threw open the door when Holly arrived promptly at six. “Miss Holly. I’m making dinner, did Dad tell you? I’m a great cook.”
He tugged on her hand and pulled her into the house. “Dad, you should hang up her jacket. Miss Holly, come into the kitchen and watch me cook.”
Holly smiled at the boy’s enthusiasm. She obediently gave her jacket to Steve and followed Josh to the kitchen, winking at Steve as she handed him the jacket. Louie followed in their wake.
“See, I made bread. I used the bread machine.”
“That’s great, Josh.”
“I’m going to make the grilled cheese. The macaroni is boiling, see? Dad drains the macaroni. He won’t let me do it myself, but I did everything else.” Josh stood up on a stool by the counter in front of an electric sandwich grill. He carefully spread butter on the bread, piled on the cheese and buttered the top slices of bread. He placed the sandwiches on the grill and closed the lid.
When the light went off on the sandwich maker, Josh speared the sandwiches with a fork. “I have to make more. You guys sit down. Dad, can you put the macaroni and cheese on the table?”
Steve grabbed the mac and cheese and placed it on the hot pad on the table. He held out the chair for her and she slipped into her seat.
“Wine?” Steve held up a bottle of red.
“Yes, please.”
Steve poured them both wine and a glass of milk for Josh, while the boy finished up the sandwiches. Josh carried the plate of sandwiches to the table and placed it in the center of the table with a flourish.
Josh and Steve took their seats. “Okay, let’s eat. I hope you like it, Miss Holly.”
She did like it. She complimented Josh on both the toasted cheese sandwiches and the mac and cheese. Josh grinned for most of the meal, explaining each step of the process of making their dinner. “The secret to good mac and cheese is I use three kind of cheeses.” Josh whispered to her.
“Tell you what, Josh. Since you cooked, I’ll do the dishes. Why don’t you go out and turn on the TV. We’ll be out as soon as I finish up.” Steve pushed back from the table.
“Okay.” Josh left the kitchen and in a moment she could hear the noise of a television program coming on.
“Let me help.” Holly began to stand up and clear the table.
“Nope. You sit there and drink your wine. I’ve got this.”
She sank back into the chair. It had been a long day at the clinic. She thought she was getting more into the grove of working at Comfort Crossing Animal Clinic, but it was still not as familiar as working at her own vet clinic. It felt good to be off her feet.
“Good day at work?” Steve asked.
“It was good. I’m still learning the system there though. They have a different computer system, but the girls there help me with that. They find things I need. It’s going fine, I’m just tired today.”
“So is Josh. I’m not sure he got much sleep at all at his so-called sleepover.”
She wasn’t sure she’d gotten much sleep last night and she’d bet Steve hadn’t either.
Steve finished the dishes and they grabbed their glasses of wine to go out and join Josh. He was sound asleep on the couch. Steve turned off the TV, scooped up his son, and disappeared down the hall with him. The sight pulled at her heart, Steve with his son safely curled up in his arms. He was such a good father. Always thinking of Josh, what was right for him.
She sank down onto the overstuffed couch and wanted to put her tired feet up on the coffee table, but didn’t. The fire danced in the fireplace and the warmth from it comforted her. It was so homey and relaxed at Steve and Josh’s home. Everything about the house said come in and sit down. Relax. The house was picked up and organized, but you could tell a boy lived here. A baseball bat rested beside the front door. A video game player was connected to the TV. There was a shelf full of kids’ books on the bookshelf across the room.